Fountain toothbrush



.L D. KELLs* FOUNTAIN TooTHBRUsu Filed July 11', 194:1v

JaH/v D; Kel-1.2

Patented Feb'. 23, 1943 vUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOUNTAIN TOOTHBRUSH John D. Kelle, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Applicatfon July 11, 1941, Serial N0. 401,902

3 Claims. (Cl. 15133) This invention relates to a fountain toothbrush-dentifrice applicator device, which provides automatically and simultaneously dentifrice iiuid, liquid paste, or paste into the mouth during the teeth cleaning operation.

'I'he salient feature of this invention, is the toothbrush so constructed that a supply of dentifrice, either liquidor paste, or other flowing types available, are drawn into the mouth of the user from a storage chamber embodied in the fountain handle member through a controlling port, duct and conduit of the shank portion of the brush member forming an integral part of the handle member. The movitating principle or force causing the dentifrice to iiow being atmospheric pressure to produce the desired effect, the constructional features including the aforesaid chamber With a minute atmospheric vent, suitably located, and an interconnecting duct and conduit extending through the shank of brush member, the conduit terminating in an orifice at the base of the bristles, the bristle head portion being specially constructed and formed to embody the above details and constructional features, means thus being provided for the user to apply lips to aforesaid orifice, so that by suction action of the lips and mouth, dentifrice for a single teeth cleaning operation can be drawn from the storage chamber of the handle to the mouth of the user simultaneously during the teeth cleaning operation.

Another salient feature of this invention, is the orifice or port ofthe disk member adjacent to the shank portion of the brush member, that allows for the flow of the last remaining fluid dentifrice left in the chamber of thevhandle when in its operating position horizontally with the upper and lower row of teeth. whereof the suction at the orifice in the lower base of the bristle-brush end portion withdraws any desired or last quantity of the iluid dentifrice for the cleaning operation.

Another important feature of this invention, is the adaptation of replacing the brush member after much continuous use, for a fresh new one. However. the storage supply of dentifrice liquid or paste provides for a great many cleaning operations, after which the entire toothbrush may be discarded. if so desired.

Another feature of this invention, is that the exterior appearance and design oi device is simliar to a fountain pen, Vand may or may not be provided with a clip or similar means to secure into the pocket. The many parts of the device may be made of any suitablefmaterial, such as y handle and brush members, taken on line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a similar view taken on line 5 5 of Figure l. y

Figure 6 is a similar view taken on line 6 6 of Figure 1. showing the port opening of the disk member in its inoperative position.

Figure? is a similar view as Figure 6, with the port in its lower and operating position.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view of the duct on the face portion of the shank of the brush member, onto which the disk member and port opening is operable.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the fluid disk member. l

Figure 10 is an alternative form of a paste retainer in a .sectional view of a fragmentary portion shown in Figure 2.

Figure 11 is a part sectional view of the foun` tain chamber member and the shank portion of the brush member showing a threadless connection.

Figure 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the threaded portions shown in Figure 3.

Referring tothe drawing, the numeral i indicates the fountain member having an inner chamber C, that holds a supply of liquid br paste dentifrice LD, which is threaded at 2 of the open end I, whereat is also provided a minute vent 4, the other end '5 having a knurled nut-screw member l secured into the closed end portion as at the threaded hole 1. A brush member 8 having a shank portion 9 is provided with a duct or half round grooved portion I0 on the end face il of an enlarged circular flange portion I2. The duct III connects to a conduit or passage I3 terminating into an orifice H having a beaded rim portion i5 on the base of the bristle portion I6 of the brush member 8. which has a tapering or reduced end portion i1.

'Ille shank portion il has a recessed portion 2d forming a shoulder or abutting means to the end fi of the member i when the shank is secured thereto, as for exemple, by the threaded portions 2i and 22. The shank has adjacent thereto a disk member It with a half-round port opening or orifice ISI connecting to the duct or groove le, and may be secured upon the face II of the enlarged liange portion of said shank by cement, or as otherwise desired.

A cover-cap member 25 has its open end threaded at 23 for securing to corresponding threaded portions 253 of the fountain member I, or may be secured otherwise, if so required. A clip or similar means, may or may not be used for securing the fountain toothbrush-dentifrice epplicator device in the pocket or for suspending on to any suitable support.

In Figure l0, an alternative means is shown of a movable paste retaining member 3B provided with a curved rim portion 3i, wherein the dentifrice paste D? may set itself and form an end body portion so as to provide fullness of paste for the suction action and to retain the atmospheric pressure at rear of member 3l, duringr the progressive movement of same during each teeth cleaning operation. when suction is applied at the oriice It, similarly to the operation of the original device shown in Figures 1 and 2.

In Figure 11, means is shown whereby the enlarged flange portion I2 may be a drive t into the handle member I, as indicated at 2|', and the exterior of member I and cap-cover 26 may be hush-like as shown. The same numerals appeering in the alternative forms will be primed, indicating that they are similar to the same part with the same number in the original forms.

Figure l2 shows an enlarged sectional view of the joining oi the fountain or handle member I and the enlarged flange portion I2 of the brush member i3, in which the cap-cover member 25 may be slightly larger, as shown in Figure l, or ush as shown in Figure l1. If so desired, but not preferred, both the handle member I and brush member 5i may be moulded in one solid form with the end d open to the inner diameter of the member i, so that dislr It*- may be secured onto the face II of the brush member il, and a trireadeol nut secured in the open end thereof, and removable for the filling of the fluid denthrice into the handle member I. A

The mmute vents i and da may be placed to suit in the walls of the chamber C, and the capcover iii. The vent d is for the air replacement of the fluid dentifrice LD, paste DP or when drawn out through the orii'lce It by the suction ci the mouth during the teeth cleaning`operation. The vent fia. is for ventilation of the enclosed brush member 8, when enclosed by the csp-cover member 25.

'I'he orifice Iii is provided with a raised beaded rim portion to assist in the suction efficiency, and is located at the base lower portion of the bristle holding end portion and underneath the bristles B, thereby preserving the durability and life of the bristles in their secured positions.

The operation of my fountain toothbrush has been briefly described hereinbefore, in the preambie and specification, in which the liquid or fluid dentifrice paste is drawn from the chamber C through the perforation or port i9. duct I0, conduit or passage I3 by the suction means of the users mouth at the orifice Il during the cleaning operation of the teeth. The orifice Il may be located other than shown, as at end of bristle head B or wherever convenient.

It is to be understood I do not confine myself to the exact structural details as hereinbefore described and shown in the drawing, and reserve the right to make any necessary alteration thereof, providing same comes within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letter Patents is as follows:

1. In a. fountain toothbrush of the character described, the combination of a tubular handle member with an inner chamber having one end open, a vent provided therewith, a brush member having a shank portion provided with an offset Banged portion, the face of which is provided with a half-round grooved portion, a disk having a half round port opening secured to the face portion of said flanged portion, a passage connecting said half round grooved portion to bristle portion of said brush member, said flanged portion adaptedl to be secured into the open end of said tubular handle member. whereby dentifrice may flow from said inner chamber through said port opening in said disk, and through said grooved portion and passage and orifice of said brush member.

2. In a fountain toothbrush of the character described, the combination of a tubular handle member, a, vent provided therewith, a brush member having a shank provided with a bristle head portion and an odset anged portion. a grooved portion provided in the face of a said hanged portion. a disk secured to said face, said disk `having a port opening in augment with said grooved portion in said face and flanged portion. said brush member having a passage connecting said grooved portion to an orifice provided in the bristle head, said brush member adapted to be attached and detached from said tubular handle member for the refilling of dentifrice therewith.

3. In a. fountain toothbrush of the character described, having means for sucking dentifrice into the mouth of a user, said means comprising 

